MEC Mandla Ndlovu launches road safety campaign
This campaign aims to curb accidents on some of the busiest roads in the province.
In a bid to create safer roads for all, the province will mainly focus on public transport this festive season.
So said the MEC for public works, roads and transport, Mandla Ndlovu, who officially launched the Festive Season Road Safety Awareness Campaign in Standerton on Monday, December 12.
Ndlovu stressed that law enforcement agencies would focus more on all major and busy roads, such as the N4, N12, N17, R37, R23, and many others.
“This is the busiest period on our roads, which requires motorists to exercise extreme vigilance and caution. There is a loss of more than R188b annually as a result of crashes and fatalities that continue to be a huge burden on our economy.
The aim is to achieve a goal of ‘arrive alive’ for all. Most of our transport inspectors will be deployed all over the provincial roads to ensure safety, particularly with public transport. In addition, we will work collaboratively with other law enforcers to bring order to our roads,” said Ndlovu.
ALSO READ: National Festive Season Security Operations Campaign launched in Barberton
He said his department and other stakeholders are implementing these awareness campaigns and are conducting joint law enforcement operations throughout the province, to curb accidents.
“Mpumalanga is a tourism destination of choice and as usual, we anticipate a high traffic volume as compared to the previous two years when people were travelling under strict Covid-19 restrictions.
The department assures residents of Mpumalanga and our visitors who will be travelling on our roads, that the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has made arrangements with relevant authorities, such as the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, for the provision of adequate security during the Christmas holidays.”
ALSO READ: Measles cases continue to grow in Mpumalanga
Ndlovu said his department is striving to minimise lawlessness on the road, especially in the public transport sector and freight transport.
Since the beginning of this year, the department has managed to conduct 266 roadside checks, issued 7 263 summons and impounded 7 204 vehicles.
From the beginning of the 2019/20 financial year, Mpumalanga recorded 141 fatalities, which increased to 148 in 2020/21.
“Our campaign seeks to reduce this number drastically,” stressed Ndlovu.
